Urban Hedgehog Welfare: Gardens, Roads, and Recovery

Urban hedgehog populations have declined dramatically but offer hope for recovery through garden-based conservation and community action.

Key Facts

UK urban hedgehog populations have declined by 30% in the past decade
Garden fences create isolated populations preventing natural dispersal
Roads kill an estimated 100,000+ hedgehogs annually in the UK
Hedgehogs require a territory of 1-2 km to find sufficient food
Hedgehog Street survey shows connected gardens support viable populations

Welfare Considerations

Isolated hedgehogs in small enclosed gardens cannot sustain adequate nutrition or find mates, causing nutritional stress and reproductive failure. Road strikes cause traumatic injury and death — hedgehog defensive curling makes them uniquely vulnerable to vehicles. Autumn juveniles unable to reach 450g face hypothermic death during hibernation. Garden hazards including ponds, drain covers, and netting cause injury and drowning. Connected, wildlife-friendly gardens significantly improve individual hedgehog welfare and support population recovery.

What You Can Do

Make a 13x13cm hedgehog hole in garden fences to allow movement
Check bonfires and leaf piles before disturbing in autumn
Report hedgehog sightings to the Hedgehog Street survey
Contact a local hedgehog rescue if you find an underweight or injured animal
Clear garden ponds of easy escape routes for fallen hedgehogs